# The seven crafts of Uzbekistan

> Seven traditional craft traditions have survived: ikat weaving (Margilan), suzani embroidery, Rishton and Gijduvan pottery, Bukhara miniature painting, Konigil paper, Karakalpak silver jewellery, and Ferghana copper work.

Unlike neighbouring countries where 20th-century industrialisation broke most craft traditions, Uzbekistan retains seven distinct living crafts. Some are on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

**1. Silk ikat (atlas & adras)** — Margilan, Fergana Valley. See kb-experience-ikat-weaving.

**2. Suzani embroidery** — Bukhara, Nurata, Shakhrisabz. See kb-experience-suzani-embroidery.

**3. Ceramics** — two centres:
- **Rishton** — turquoise-blue ishkor-glazed ceramics with copper-based colouring.
- **Gijduvan** — earthier greens and browns, with distinctive floral central motifs, made near Bukhara.

**4. Miniature painting** — Bukhara mostly, painted on paper, wood or camel bone. Themes borrowed from Persian miniature tradition — court scenes, Silk Road caravans, poet Nizami's stories. Master **Davlat Toshev** in Bukhara is UNESCO-recognised.

**5. Paper making** — Konigil village near Samarkand. Only surviving workshop making 8th-century-style mulberry-fibre paper. Museums buy for manuscript restoration.

**6. Silver jewellery** — Karakalpakstan. Heavy ornate belts, headpieces, chest plates in silver with coral, carnelian and turquoise. Traditional Karakalpak bridal costume weighs ~10 kg.

**7. Copper work (chekanka)** — Bukhara, Fergana, Kokand. Beaten copper trays, teapots, samovars with hand-engraved patterns. Bukharan master **Kobil Turaev** is a living UNESCO figure.

**Where to buy**: prefer master workshops over tourist bazaars. Prices are similar or lower at workshops, and you can meet the maker.

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Keywords: crafts, Uzbekistan, handicraft, UNESCO, traditional
Updated: 2026-08-15
Category: experiences
URL: https://uzbguidedtours.com/kb/kb-experience-uzbek-crafts